Jackson Tapes Reveal Inner Turmoil

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 25th 2009 12:57PM

Taped conversations between Michael Jackson and his one-time friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach are the subject of a new book: 'The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation.' The rabbi appeared on NBC's 'Today' show to discuss the 30 hours of recordings (taped with Jackson's permission) he used when writing the book. "I don't think Michael will be looked at the same after people read this book," Boteach says. "It's impossible... So many of us who look at Michael as strange or weird - that's not what I experienced. [I saw] indescribable pain."

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The conversations, which occurred nine years ago, paint a picture of a troubled man. He described the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, Joe Jackson, telling Boteach that his youngest performances with the Jackson Five were marred by his father's attention. "You'd look in the audience and he'd make a face like this," Jackson said. "You'd go, 'Oh, I can't mess up, he's gonna kill us.' It would just scare the bejesus out of you."

The punishment for messing up, as Jackson recalled, was being stripped naked and doused with oil before being whipped with a cord. "He was rough," Jackson said. "The way he would beat us was rough. There was nothing I could do. I hated him for it."

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Michael Jackson with baby son Prince and mother Debbie Rowe on cover of OK! Magazine in 1997.

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Jackson also told Boteach that he felt that his childhood was lost to a music career that was more time-consuming than he wanted. "I wanted so badly to play in the park across the street because the kids were playing baseball and football but I had to record," Jackson said. "I could see the park, right across the street. But I had to go in the other building and work until late at night making the albums.

"I sat there looking at the kids with tears running down my face and I would say, "I am trapped and I have to do this for the rest of my life. I am under contract."

One of Jackson's more questionable revelations was his opinion of Nazi party leader Adolf Hiltler. The King of Pop told Rabbi Boteach that he considered Hitler a "genius orator" and said no one is purely evil, insisting he could have helped Hitler "by touching something inside of him."

Jackson described himself as a lonely man, isolated by his fame, and explained some of his bizarre habits to Boteach. "There was Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, an aloof superstar who had everything and needed no one," he said. "And Michael Jackson, the shy kid under the mask, who lacked even a single real friend. I knew that something was wrong with me at that time. But I needed someone... That's probably why I had the mannequins."

"I would say because I felt I needed people... I was too shy to be around real people. I didn't talk to them."

Tags: joe jackson, JoeJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, shmuley boteach, ShmuleyBoteach

Comments

(263)

Friday 25 September

By Susan

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I have read all of your comments. First what MJ did or didn't do is between him and God. Next you should not judge others by what your filthy mind dreams up. I have been a foster mother for 10 years and you have no idea what these children have been through. Just because you are white does not make you any better than anyone else remember that Jesus was a darker skinned person because he was from Jerusalem Next there was and has never been any proof that MJ was a child molester. The first one was because the mother needed money for her childs medical care. The second one the eldest child admitted that his mother told his brother to say that to get money. Remember once someone's name has been ruined that it is because you people never let it go. DON'T SPEAK ILL OF THE DEAD. You will have to face God by yourself one day and atone for everything. A person is the same on the inside as the outside. I wish I could have reached out to MJ as I am 49 and I would have welcomed him into my home as a friend and never judged him and yes I am white on the outside. The only thing he did wrong was to get people to like him. As for the book, if I understand, it was decided with MJ's agreement to have it printed after death. Do you know where the money from the book is going to go or to who for sure? No I didn't think so. You are very judgmental. I hope that his children aren't reading any of your trash it is just wrong. He might have children that aren't biologically his, but they are his and loved him and that is all that matters. If you don't want to hear about him anymore then turn off your TV or computer and go outside:{

By Mary Ellen

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If you don't want to hear about this then why stop and read it and then make comments that are ignorant and unnecessary! People like you are the reason no one on this earth will ever live happy!

By Observer

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

OK, this whole thing has gotten way out of hand. Michael Jackson's music was iconic, there's no question about it, but let's face it...he was an unconvicted child molester, and the only reason for that is his fame and wealth. Now, it seems that fact has been forgotten simply because he died. People die, some of them are famous, it happens everyday. I wish everyone would just let it go, or at least stop omitting certain facts because he's dead. He's gone, and nothing is going to change it.

Saturday 26 September

By lisalove

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It is really sad when we have people who have to always resort to race or skin color when trying to justify their beliefs. If everyone who has ever been accused of molesting a child was actually guilty then we would have probably hundreds if not thousands more in the U.S. prison system. Anyone with any sense knows those allegations were brought on by greed on the part of the parents. They saw a window of opportunity and they took it. I feel sorry for the children who, I am sure, had nothing but love for MJ who had to endure with the guilt of a lie for the rest of their lives.

Tuesday 29 September

By Barbara

Jesus said He was The firstborn of God We are all sons and Daughters of God He is Our heavenly father, Someone with that much talent is a gift to Us from Him, They usually dont stay here long because They may be needed in Heaven

By Stephanie

OMG, you can't be serious !!!! Michael Jackson was just another person, a person with talent who had done well. He was NOT to be worshipped as a king or GOD. We need a touch of reality here !!!!

Why did you call him a monkey. What was the significance of that? Sounds as if you might be ignorant to have to resort to such terminology.

By DESIREE

YOU SURE YOU AINT A FAGGOT JOE???? A FAGGOT CAN TELL ANOTHER FAGGOT!!!! BTW: MJ HAS HAD MORE WOMAN THAN YOU HAVE EVER HAD! AND EVEN IF HE WERE GAY IT DONT MATTER CAUSE HIS DIE HARD FANS LOVE HIM AND WILL LOVE HIM 4EVER NO MATTER WHAT HE WAS!! IT WAS HIS BUSINESS NOT YOURS,,, SO GET YOURSELF A LIFE!!!

By SHARIANN MILLS

I REALY THINK THAT JOE JACKSON.SHOULD PAY FOR HURTING HIS KIDS.JUST FACE IT WAS BECAUSE HIM MICHAEL IS DEAD.

By Reneelucky7

WHAT????

MJ IS NOT THE SON OF GOD.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.

Uggg!!! Obssessed fans just make me so angry. MJ was human just like the rest of us! Why do people think that fame and money does not buy you magical powers?!

By nate

michael jackson was not God. he was a regular human being. remember folks did mj not use the bathroom when he was alive? get a life folks.

By bondjamesbond

Yeah, He could have touched something inside Hitler.............His colon.

By Kurt

OMG...i litarally laughed out loud and almost fell out of my chair...that was funny!!!!!!

By cannotbelievethis

That's sacrilege... Michael was conceived of an earthly man and an eartly woman... the Son of God can make a Higher claim than that...

By Ms. Patricia B.

I was born in 1962, when Word Magazine had cover pictures of the Jacksons. All people need to understand, God gives us talent,s. The Jacksons are human beings-God's children. Abuse is a family enemy no matter the fame. His inner child wanted to die, I know that kind of pain and it's ugly seed that had been planted before adulthood. His music was a way of expressing love, because he or anyone including self couldn't get love from so someone who doesn't have love to give in a healthly manner. Michael and Janet as well as other artist helped many children/self feel love, when there was none at home or any situation. Hearts were happy and touched, relationships with the world changed a positive way. It did for me. I give and show love to my grandchildren, not abuse them. Thank you so much for your everything including the suffering. Jesus did XOXOXOXOXOXOXO.

By just sick

You people make me sick.How do you know he really even did the crap he was blamed for YOU DON"T SO SHUT UP!!!! Money money was all those parents thought of can anyone person tell me that money was good enough to take the pain away from what he was blamed for doing HECK NO !!!this is sad and yes i think of MJ as the KING OF POP don't like i don't care.... If you don't like the way people are callin him their god them why are you even reading this?This space is for his FANS not mean rude and heartless people grow up one day you will be at the gates and you won't be let in for judging one of god's kids so go look in the mirror n tell me you perfect!!!!!! Rest in peace MJ you are well loved in my eye's!!!!!!!

By philliephan704

Why are you guys even commenting on what "Jerry" said. He's obviously some weirdo with psychological problems that is just trying to get some attention because he probably doesnt get any at home. What he said isnt worth commenting on and the more of you that respond to it the more your giving him what he wants

By Mortal Coil

"Now Jesus Christ himself bows to his knees when he see's Michal Jackson. Michael is the one and only true son of God."

Hardly. Micahel Jackson was real. Jesus is a fictitious amalgamation of several people who all bear the same qualities. All born of the Virgin, all healed the sick, all were crucified etc. People love their fairy tales though.

By joey binky

hearing some of those comments actually made me cry. I feel so bad. I know what it is to be lonely. For mr. Jackson to keep manequins, I could barely immagine that lonelyness. I wish he knew how many stinking Hot summers, days nad nights I had to sit in my room at 12 or 13 years old, playing his music to keep me company, to entertain me because where I lived, everyone, adult, childern always tried to get me into some kind of trouble. The only to stay safe was to stay home. I thank him sincerly for being there for me thru his music, and being an influence on me in my own music that I do today. Yu can hear my music dedicated to Michael Jackson on Youtube. Search joey binky. The song Runaway. Enjoy.

If you dont like it, why are you on this board?

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